Virginia has represented North Carolina's Fifth Congressional District since January 2005. She is a vocal leader on the issues of fiscal responsibility, government accountability, family values and immigration reform. She was ranked the most conservative Member of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation by National Journal and has been called one of the "best and brightest" Members of Congress by the American Conservative Union. Virginia was the first member of her freshman class to introduce and pass a major bill. Her bill, which helps our men and women in uniform, was signed by President Bush on Memorial Day 2006. In 2008 she also pushed through legislation that reduces the cost of operating the federal government. Before her election to Congress, Virginia served ten years in the North Carolina Senate. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Secretary for Management under Governor Jim Martin and spent twelve years on the Watauga County Board of Education. Virginia spent the majority of her career educating youth from Northwest North Carolina. She has served as an instructor at Caldwell Community College and as a professor and administrator at Appalachian State University. She also served as the President of Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine. Virginia grew up in rural Avery County, just miles away from where she and her husband reside today. She was the first member of her family to ever graduate from high school. She went on to graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in college teaching. She then received her Doctorate in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Virginia and her husband, Tom, have been married for over 40 years. Together, they established a nursery and landscaping business in Watauga County, which is now being operated by their daughter and son-in-law. The Foxxes enjoy gardening, attending church and spending high quality time with their two grandchildren.